“Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!’”
Matthew 8:24-27
We face all sorts of storms in this life. Perhaps you live on the East Coast of the United States and just lived through hurricane Irene. Maybe, like many others you are in the storm of unemployment and financial worry. Possibly you are in the storm of a bad health report. Whatever kind of storm you find yourself in – have you seen HIM there in the midst of it with you?
Jesus and his guys were in the boat heading home after long a day of ministering to the crowds, when their storm came up and the guys were scared – some of these guys used to be fishermen so you wouldn’t think they would panic – but they did and Jesus being asleep in the boat didn’t seem to bring them any peace. It didn’t seem to matter that they had watched Him all day as he healed the sick and drove out demons - they didn’t see Him in the storm. They didn’t see Him until they woke Him up. Jesus had been there the whole time; there was no real need to fear.
Did you notice in today’s passage the winds and waves were not the only ones to be rebuked? There are times, I think when God recognizes the reality of the fears we have and then there are times when He says to us – why are you so afraid? Haven’t I been here the whole time? Haven’t you seen me work before?
Did you see Him - can you see Him even now as you read this? Jesus is there in whatever storm you are facing and He will either calm the storm or He will calm you – whichever He thinks is best. This week look for Him, you’ll find Him and be amazed.
A prayer
Father – Thank you for being with us in the storms of this life. Forgive us for the times we fear even though we know you are there. Lord we don’t like the storms that take our peace and cause doubts – so we ask that you either calm the storm or calm us. Thank you for loving us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Fear Not
“I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.”
Isaiah 41:9-10
A quick glance at the news and we find plenty of scary stuff. We live in an uncertain world, a fallen world. There are things out there to frighten us – a bad medical diagnosis, world economics, unemployment, violence brought on by desperate people. I read a news story not long ago about a man who purposefully committed a crime so he would go to jail – because he was hungry and knew he’d be fed there.
The world we live in is a frightening place – yet over and over in Scripture we read “fear not”, “do not worry”, “I AM here with you”. In fact we see all three of those statements in today’s passage and on top of all that we read that we have been chosen. Chosen by the Creator of the universe, chosen by a God who loves us so much He willing died for us. HE is bigger than anything we are facing or think we are facing and He tells us to fear not.
What do you fear today? Do you fear that “C word” diagnosis, not finding a job, no money, the world outside your door? Do you worry about taking the step you believe God is calling you to take? He says “Fear not, do not worry, and trust Me.”
As you seek to trust Him, allow Him to remove all fear and worry. Take whatever step He is telling you to take and be filled with the peace that only He can give in times like these.
A prayer
Father – I know there are people out there who are dealing with fear and anxiety, I admit to having those feelings as well sometimes, but You are way more than capable of taking care of us. So we need not fear and worry. Today fill our lives with Your peace and may Your love cast out all fear. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Isaiah 41:9-10
A quick glance at the news and we find plenty of scary stuff. We live in an uncertain world, a fallen world. There are things out there to frighten us – a bad medical diagnosis, world economics, unemployment, violence brought on by desperate people. I read a news story not long ago about a man who purposefully committed a crime so he would go to jail – because he was hungry and knew he’d be fed there.
The world we live in is a frightening place – yet over and over in Scripture we read “fear not”, “do not worry”, “I AM here with you”. In fact we see all three of those statements in today’s passage and on top of all that we read that we have been chosen. Chosen by the Creator of the universe, chosen by a God who loves us so much He willing died for us. HE is bigger than anything we are facing or think we are facing and He tells us to fear not.
What do you fear today? Do you fear that “C word” diagnosis, not finding a job, no money, the world outside your door? Do you worry about taking the step you believe God is calling you to take? He says “Fear not, do not worry, and trust Me.”
As you seek to trust Him, allow Him to remove all fear and worry. Take whatever step He is telling you to take and be filled with the peace that only He can give in times like these.
A prayer
Father – I know there are people out there who are dealing with fear and anxiety, I admit to having those feelings as well sometimes, but You are way more than capable of taking care of us. So we need not fear and worry. Today fill our lives with Your peace and may Your love cast out all fear. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Do You Know Who You Are?
“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
2 Corinthians 5:16-17
For the past few weeks Dan and I have been watching an old television series on the computer. The show is called John Doe. The show is about a man who wakes up on an island off the coast of Washington state – he knows nothing personal about himself, hence the name John Doe. John, however, seems to know everything about everything else in the world – from the number of dimples on a golf ball to the complexities of neuroscience and more. He uses his skills to help the police solve crimes and all the while he is searching for himself – who he really is. Do you know who you are – really?
Our passage today gives us a hint – if we are in Christ we are new. Verse 20 of the same passage says we are ambassadors. In other places in scripture we are called heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. In Ephesians we read that we are chosen and adopted as sons and daughters through Christ (Eph. 1:4-5) We also read that we are God’s workmanship (Eph. 2:10) Something God called very good way back in the beginning.
Because of this we are loved – we are treasured. In this we find ourselves and our purpose. We are to love others the way Christ loved us and as we love God and others we find our true selves. None of us who are in Christ Jesus are John or Jane Doe - HE knows our names, HE knows everything about us and HE calls us friend.
Do you know who you are? Seek Jesus and in so doing find the real you.
A prayer
Father – Thank you for choosing us, for making us new and for giving us purpose. Thank you for loving us just for who we are. Help us today and each day to know who we are in Christ and to live accordingly. Thank you for calling us brothers, sisters and friend. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
2 Corinthians 5:16-17
For the past few weeks Dan and I have been watching an old television series on the computer. The show is called John Doe. The show is about a man who wakes up on an island off the coast of Washington state – he knows nothing personal about himself, hence the name John Doe. John, however, seems to know everything about everything else in the world – from the number of dimples on a golf ball to the complexities of neuroscience and more. He uses his skills to help the police solve crimes and all the while he is searching for himself – who he really is. Do you know who you are – really?
Our passage today gives us a hint – if we are in Christ we are new. Verse 20 of the same passage says we are ambassadors. In other places in scripture we are called heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. In Ephesians we read that we are chosen and adopted as sons and daughters through Christ (Eph. 1:4-5) We also read that we are God’s workmanship (Eph. 2:10) Something God called very good way back in the beginning.
Because of this we are loved – we are treasured. In this we find ourselves and our purpose. We are to love others the way Christ loved us and as we love God and others we find our true selves. None of us who are in Christ Jesus are John or Jane Doe - HE knows our names, HE knows everything about us and HE calls us friend.
Do you know who you are? Seek Jesus and in so doing find the real you.
A prayer
Father – Thank you for choosing us, for making us new and for giving us purpose. Thank you for loving us just for who we are. Help us today and each day to know who we are in Christ and to live accordingly. Thank you for calling us brothers, sisters and friend. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Instructions for 21st Century Living - Be Different and Worship
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry… also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language… Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience… And over all these virtues put on love… Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs…singing to God with gratitude in your hearts”
Colossians 3:5, 8, 12, 14, 16
There may be some who would say that Paul’s message to the Colossians has nothing to do with us, after some 2000 years we aren’t having orgies in the temple of some god we read about in Greek mythology. We – at least most of us – do not live under the brutal rule of a tyrant. We are much more civilized and self constrained, we are wiser and more tolerant. But is the world today really that different? There are some who do live under the rule of brutal tyrants. We may not be using our bodies to satisfy a Greek god or goddess – but isn’t using our bodies to satisfy the god of self just as bad or worse? If we are really more civilized, self constrained, wise and tolerant – why do we have an acknowledged law for the crime of road rage, why do children murder their parents because they don’t get their way? Why are the elderly among us disrespected and abused? No the world is not so different, the writer of Ecclesiastes says “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun” (Eccl. 1:9 NIV). It would seem he was right. So the message Paul had for the Colossians can still be applied to our lives as Christians in the modern world. It is not easy to go against the current, swimming upstream while being enticed to take the easy way and worship the god of self. So, Paul tells us to be different and worship.
How will you be different and worship this week?
A prayer
Father – Thank you that when we accept Your Son Jesus as Lord and Savior, You offer us new clothes. Clothes that set us apart, that help us swim against the current of our world. Each day this week may Christ dwell among us richly so that we can be different and worship. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Colossians 3:5, 8, 12, 14, 16
There may be some who would say that Paul’s message to the Colossians has nothing to do with us, after some 2000 years we aren’t having orgies in the temple of some god we read about in Greek mythology. We – at least most of us – do not live under the brutal rule of a tyrant. We are much more civilized and self constrained, we are wiser and more tolerant. But is the world today really that different? There are some who do live under the rule of brutal tyrants. We may not be using our bodies to satisfy a Greek god or goddess – but isn’t using our bodies to satisfy the god of self just as bad or worse? If we are really more civilized, self constrained, wise and tolerant – why do we have an acknowledged law for the crime of road rage, why do children murder their parents because they don’t get their way? Why are the elderly among us disrespected and abused? No the world is not so different, the writer of Ecclesiastes says “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun” (Eccl. 1:9 NIV). It would seem he was right. So the message Paul had for the Colossians can still be applied to our lives as Christians in the modern world. It is not easy to go against the current, swimming upstream while being enticed to take the easy way and worship the god of self. So, Paul tells us to be different and worship.
How will you be different and worship this week?
A prayer
Father – Thank you that when we accept Your Son Jesus as Lord and Savior, You offer us new clothes. Clothes that set us apart, that help us swim against the current of our world. Each day this week may Christ dwell among us richly so that we can be different and worship. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Worship - Forms Us
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit (emphasis mine) of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
Hebrews 13: 15, 16
As I sat and thought about this topic of worship and how is effects spiritual growth I couldn’t help but connect it to last week’s topic of abiding. Isn’t worship one of the ways that we abide in Christ?
We are to praise and do – Jesus in Matthew 4:10 says: “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” – Praise and do.
We are commanded to love God with every fiber of our being and to love others – these two things are the goals of spiritual formation – when we love God and others selflessly are we not reflecting Jesus?
Richard Foster says: “Worship is the human response to the divine initiative” he goes on to say: “Worship is our response to the overtures of love from the Father”. How is worship defined? Dr. Michael Mitchell says “Worship is an act, not a style, form or approach; not determined by kind, or tempo of music, or behavior of the worshippers…” Worship is an act and yet it seems to be so much more than a mere act.
Worship does indeed take many forms both private and public - but should it not, with time become a driving force in our lives – a means of abiding so that we can grow to reflect Christ? Our spiritual formation is affected because worship causes us to draw near to the heart of God. “It is a breaking into the Shekinah (glory or radiance) of God, or better yet, being invaded by the Shekinah of God” – Richard Foster.
Worship is a means of opening ourselves, our hearts, our eyes, our ears, yes our whole being to the voice of God. We will learn what it is He wants each of us to do specifically and then out of our adoration and thankfulness we will, in obedience, act.
This week will you allow worship to work in you?
A prayer
Father – This week may we through worship experience a new depth of abiding in You. Help us to be open enough so that You can invade our lives in a new way. Thank you for everything that you do in our lives to assure us that You are there and that you love us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Hebrews 13: 15, 16
As I sat and thought about this topic of worship and how is effects spiritual growth I couldn’t help but connect it to last week’s topic of abiding. Isn’t worship one of the ways that we abide in Christ?
We are to praise and do – Jesus in Matthew 4:10 says: “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” – Praise and do.
We are commanded to love God with every fiber of our being and to love others – these two things are the goals of spiritual formation – when we love God and others selflessly are we not reflecting Jesus?
Richard Foster says: “Worship is the human response to the divine initiative” he goes on to say: “Worship is our response to the overtures of love from the Father”. How is worship defined? Dr. Michael Mitchell says “Worship is an act, not a style, form or approach; not determined by kind, or tempo of music, or behavior of the worshippers…” Worship is an act and yet it seems to be so much more than a mere act.
Worship does indeed take many forms both private and public - but should it not, with time become a driving force in our lives – a means of abiding so that we can grow to reflect Christ? Our spiritual formation is affected because worship causes us to draw near to the heart of God. “It is a breaking into the Shekinah (glory or radiance) of God, or better yet, being invaded by the Shekinah of God” – Richard Foster.
Worship is a means of opening ourselves, our hearts, our eyes, our ears, yes our whole being to the voice of God. We will learn what it is He wants each of us to do specifically and then out of our adoration and thankfulness we will, in obedience, act.
This week will you allow worship to work in you?
A prayer
Father – This week may we through worship experience a new depth of abiding in You. Help us to be open enough so that You can invade our lives in a new way. Thank you for everything that you do in our lives to assure us that You are there and that you love us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Hang In There
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5
I really like the imagery of John 15 – Christ being the Vine and we believers the branches. The New International Version of the Bible uses the word: remain, while the New King James Version uses the word; abide – both of these words come from the Greek Meno. The richness of this word perhaps does best to describe this idea of remaining or abiding. One concordance I looked at divided the meaning into three areas: place, time and condition.
Place: Remain, abide – to sojourn, tarry – to continue to be present – to be held, kept, continually.
Time: To continue to be, not perish, to last and endure. Of persons, to survive, live
Condition: to remain as one, not to become another or different, to wait for, await one.
We are to become like Christ and we must live by Christ’s example – the way to do this is to stay near, stay connected. Branches - whether they are on a grape vine or a fruit tree are nothing without the vine or trunk. It is while so close, so connected that they are nourished and watered and can produce fruit.
For me abiding or remaining in Christ – is to be close enough to see how the root grows, to learn from the root how to grow in a way that reflects the root. To be connected in a permanent way so that I am nourished, renewed, strengthened and at times pruned so that I can continue be a reflection of the root. This means spending time among the other branches – working and learning together - just us and the Lord. It also means spending time just the branch and the vine – just me and the Lord so that I can drink deeply, so that my connection to the root can be strengthened. The result of being in the vine – of being in Christ should be the fruitfulness of my obedience to Him and my life being transformed into His image.
This week, spend time letting your life become intertwined with the Vine that is Jesus – remain, abide, meno. The fruit you produce as a result will change you and may change the world around you.
A prayer
Father – Thank you that you desire for us to tarry with you, to be deeply connected to You always. Thank you for those times when you “prune” us even though it may not be pleasant, it will make us more fruitful. As the branches may we more fully reflect the root that is Jesus. It is by His name we pray. Amen.
John 15:5
I really like the imagery of John 15 – Christ being the Vine and we believers the branches. The New International Version of the Bible uses the word: remain, while the New King James Version uses the word; abide – both of these words come from the Greek Meno. The richness of this word perhaps does best to describe this idea of remaining or abiding. One concordance I looked at divided the meaning into three areas: place, time and condition.
Place: Remain, abide – to sojourn, tarry – to continue to be present – to be held, kept, continually.
Time: To continue to be, not perish, to last and endure. Of persons, to survive, live
Condition: to remain as one, not to become another or different, to wait for, await one.
We are to become like Christ and we must live by Christ’s example – the way to do this is to stay near, stay connected. Branches - whether they are on a grape vine or a fruit tree are nothing without the vine or trunk. It is while so close, so connected that they are nourished and watered and can produce fruit.
For me abiding or remaining in Christ – is to be close enough to see how the root grows, to learn from the root how to grow in a way that reflects the root. To be connected in a permanent way so that I am nourished, renewed, strengthened and at times pruned so that I can continue be a reflection of the root. This means spending time among the other branches – working and learning together - just us and the Lord. It also means spending time just the branch and the vine – just me and the Lord so that I can drink deeply, so that my connection to the root can be strengthened. The result of being in the vine – of being in Christ should be the fruitfulness of my obedience to Him and my life being transformed into His image.
This week, spend time letting your life become intertwined with the Vine that is Jesus – remain, abide, meno. The fruit you produce as a result will change you and may change the world around you.
A prayer
Father – Thank you that you desire for us to tarry with you, to be deeply connected to You always. Thank you for those times when you “prune” us even though it may not be pleasant, it will make us more fruitful. As the branches may we more fully reflect the root that is Jesus. It is by His name we pray. Amen.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Do A Joy Dance!
“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.
Psalm 30:11-12
Little things and not so little things can bring us joy in the midst of our trials. Great weather, the announcement of a wedding or a baby, taking a step to serve others, a trip to the shore or the mountains - these things are ways God clothes us in joy – they are reason to dance. That long awaited job, a visit from an old friend, peace in the valleys of life – these are also ways that God clothes us in joy – they are reason to dance.
David was coming out of a time of trial when this psalm was written – there would be other trials in his life, and in the midst of them as long as he stayed focused on God he would find peace and joy – he would find reason to dance. What are you facing today? A new trial, the continuation of an old one or perhaps you have reached a mountain top and are rejoicing in the amazing view as you look back over the valley you just came through. No matter where you find yourself today keep your eyes, your mind and your heart focused on Jesus and He will give you joy.
So today crank up the radio – read the Psalms of long ago and listen to the Psalms of today. Seek the joy of the Lord and dance! Dance with all your strength, with every fiber of your being. It will make your day; lessen your stress and make God smile.
A prayer
Father – Thank you for the things You use to clothes us with joy. Thank you that we can dance even in the midst of life’s trials. May we invite others to join us in the dance, especially if they don’t feel like dancing. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Psalm 30:11-12
Little things and not so little things can bring us joy in the midst of our trials. Great weather, the announcement of a wedding or a baby, taking a step to serve others, a trip to the shore or the mountains - these things are ways God clothes us in joy – they are reason to dance. That long awaited job, a visit from an old friend, peace in the valleys of life – these are also ways that God clothes us in joy – they are reason to dance.
David was coming out of a time of trial when this psalm was written – there would be other trials in his life, and in the midst of them as long as he stayed focused on God he would find peace and joy – he would find reason to dance. What are you facing today? A new trial, the continuation of an old one or perhaps you have reached a mountain top and are rejoicing in the amazing view as you look back over the valley you just came through. No matter where you find yourself today keep your eyes, your mind and your heart focused on Jesus and He will give you joy.
So today crank up the radio – read the Psalms of long ago and listen to the Psalms of today. Seek the joy of the Lord and dance! Dance with all your strength, with every fiber of your being. It will make your day; lessen your stress and make God smile.
A prayer
Father – Thank you for the things You use to clothes us with joy. Thank you that we can dance even in the midst of life’s trials. May we invite others to join us in the dance, especially if they don’t feel like dancing. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
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